blue lobelia and goldenrod

 

August wildflowers

In the middle of August, the birds that nested here near the pond are busy teaching their young to hunt. Or maybe they are hiding while they molt into new fresh feathers.  

Meanwhile, the late blooming native plants have grown tall and display their splendid blossoms.  

Ironweed Veronia fasciculata blooms purple and Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata grows next to the pond.  They both attract pollinators, including bees and butterflies.

summer blooms

Yellow Loosestrife Lysmachia blooms among the grasses in the wetland around our pond.  

summer native bloomers

Blossoming among the grasses and rushes around the pond are Blue Vervain, Culvers Root, Wild Bergamot, Evening Primrose. Seed heads of Penstemon stand as they dry in the sun.

spider silk

Hot, foggy morning.  Dewpoint is high enough to form beads of water on each and every

strand of spider silk in this beautiful web.

 

small turtle, big turtle

The turtles are practicing balancing rocks today.

Or, the big one coaxed the small one to help it hold a pose.